We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Wei. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Angela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I worked on was being the lead designer of 30 billboards for Vice Media to advertise Investigation Night, a programming block on VICE TV that focuses on untold true crime stories. As one of my first major design projects, it was exciting to be entrusted with bringing the essence of the shows to life visually. I was tasked with translating the suspense, intrigue realism of the shows into bold and captivating imagery that could resonate with a diverse audience in major cities across the U.S.

The creative process involved carefully selecting key assets from the series—whether it was evocative symbols, striking color palettes, or atmospheric backdrops, to create visually arresting designs that would grab attention in high-traffic areas like Times Square and Hollywood Boulevard. As part of Vice’s design team, I had access to a variety of typography and textures that I had fun experimenting with. Through this, I learned a lot about striking the right balance between graphics and words to effectively convey a story’s essence without revealing too much.

The project’s recognition was also a significant milestone; it was shortlisted for a CLIO award, an award that celebrates creativity in advertising and design. This acknowledgment from an esteemed jury panel, chosen from thousands of entries, further affirmed the impact of the work. Seeing my designs on display in iconic locations such as Times Square in New York, Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, as well as key spots in Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago, was surreal and deeply gratifying, marking a turning point in my career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Angela, and I’m a New York-based artist and writer originally from Vancouver, Canada. I moved to the U.S. when I was 18 seeking more creative opportunities and a chance to leave my comfort zone in Canada. I initially studied at UC Berkeley, but soon realized that I wanted to pursue a more serious path in the creative field, which led me to relocate to New York. I began my career in the fashion industry, magazines like Garage Magazine, where I had the chance to dress celebrities such as Kendall Jenner. Eventually, I transitioned into writing for these publications, finding it rewarding to explore fashion from a new perspective. Despite my success in fashion, I always knew that my true passion lay in the visual arts, particularly painting. Encouraged by my mother, who is also an artist, I began creating large-scale acrylic works during the pandemic. These pieces are deeply influenced by my fascination with Impressionism, my East-West heritage, and sociological theories, allowing me to fully embrace painting as my primary creative outlet.

Right now, I’m focused on painting intuitively, often influenced by Freud’s theories on the unconscious mind and dream analysis. I frequently have vivid dreams, especially about flying, which often appear in my work. My goal is to use painting to explore the intersection of dreams, repressed memories, and emotions that feel both fantastical and nostalgic, distant yet intimate.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Much of my work is an attempt to reconnect with the uninhibited imagination and dream world I inhabited as a child. As an only child, I spent a lot of time creating imaginary characters and stories to entertain myself, imbuing toys, books, and movies with a sense of magic. I try to bring those whimsical ideas into my art, but what especially fascinates me are childhood narratives that reveal darker, more unsettling meanings when revisited as an adult. One of my key references is Alice in Wonderland—a seemingly innocent story that, beneath the surface, can be interpreted as an allegory for drug use and the loss of innocence.

I’m captivated by this tension between surface-level naivety and deeper, more complex undertones. I see cuteness as a way to process personal experiences—similar to how Grimms’ fairy tales conceal unsettling messages within seemingly harmless imagery. Cuteness, in a sense, becomes a defense mechanism, masking harsh realities that would be too difficult to face head-on. Many of my paintings explore themes like the loss of innocence, mass surveillance, and technological abuse, which I experienced intensely as a third-culture child growing up in the early 2000s; I had to navigate immigration, learning new languages, and maturing quickly to help my parents adjust to life in a new country were challenges I faced early on.

Through my work, I aim to create a space where others can feel comfortable reflecting on difficult or complex childhood experiences.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Creative careers differ from conventional ones in many ways, primarily because of how non-linear and unpredictable they can be. In traditional corporate settings, there’s often a clear trajectory—a structured path that allows you to map out your career 10 or 15 years into the future. But for creatives, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The journey is often filled with barriers like financial instability and uncertainty, making it common to juggle multiple jobs just to support your true passion.

Although I’ve juggled various roles to support my creative career, this past year has been incredibly validating, as I’ve had the chance to exhibit my work in several New York City galleries. I’ve been fortunate to take part in group shows at Rachel Uffner Gallery and Christie’s New York. In the coming months, I’ll be presenting ‘Navigator’, a piece inspired by Hokusai’s The Great Wave, at Van Der Plas Gallery. The work is smaller in size than I conventionally work in (measuring 30 x 24 inches) so the size really invites viewers to come close and appreciate it, which I love. I’m also thrilled to announce my upcoming solo show at The Living Gallery in Brooklyn, which will feature work from the past two years. It’s been rewarding to observe how my style has evolved over time—while my paintings still maintain a certain structure and control, I’ve noticed a shift towards a softer, more fluid approach. I think this reflects a broader personal growth, as I’ve learned to be gentler with myself and others in everyday life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://angelawei.cargo.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelawei/

Image Credits

Billboards: Vice Media Group